Saturday, September 21, 2013

The other day when I was showcasing the women's movie costumes I'd seen exhibited in the past year to help provide some Halloween inspiration, I couldn't help but take a further look back through my archives to highlight some of the favourite movie costumes I've had the good fortune to see up close in the past five years. Here are ten outfits that have really stuck in my mind from my travels to cinemas and costume and prop exhibitions.

Cruella de Vil

One of my all time favourites has to be this captivating flame dress worn by Glenn Close as the iconic Disney villain 'Cruella de Vil' in the live-action sequel, 102 Dalmatians. I spied this amazing costume by Anthony Powell from the 2000 movie on display at the temporary Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives exhibitat The Reagan Library in Simi Valley last July 2012.

Another favourite, especially as it's from the superhero genre, is this super-sleek and sexy latex outfit worn by Malin Akerman in Zack Snyder's 2009 adaptation of the critically-acclaimed limited comic book series, Watchmen.

I loved not only how this costume was exhibited without a display case at ArcLight Hollywood cinema and how Costume Designer Michael Wilkinson was able to modernise Dave Gibbon's comic book design for 'Silk Spectre II' (her mother used the superhero name before her) and still stay true to the original 80's aesthetic.

Anne Hathaway had big boots to fill in 2012's climax of Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy, not only did she have to honour the memory of such actresses as Julie Newmar, Lee Meriwether and Earth Kitt from the camp 60's Batman TV show, but she also had to outshine Michelle Pfeiffer as the conflicted 'Selina Kyle' in 1992's Batman Returns.

I think she did a fantastic kick-ass job and this super-sexy, black skin-hugging catsuit with its killer heels, designed by Lindy Hemming, certainly helped.

Alice in Wonderland

Of all the costumes I've seen in person, I think I've seen Colleen Atwood's Oscar-winning costume designs from Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland the most in multiple exhibits at ArcLight cinemas, the D23 Expo 2011 and even at Disney's Burbank HQ.

This light-weight White Knight armour worn by Mia Wasikowska as the titular 'Alice' is one of my personal favourites from the 2010 Disney movie, as it's equally feminine, heroic and stylish.

Meanwhile it's hard to chose between these five outfits that were featured in Zack Snyder's 2011 action fantasy Sucker Punch, as they were all so impressive up close and on the big screen.

Be sure to take a closer look at Michael Wilkinson's 'Babydoll', 'Sweet Pea', 'Rocket', 'Amber' and'Blondie' costume designs from Sucker Punch, plus lots of original props from the film, here at Hollywood Movie Costumes and Props.

Evil Queen Narissa

In September 2010 I was lucky enough to travel to Walt Disney World in Florida and see Susan Sarandon's 'Evil Queen Narissa' costume from 2007's Enchanted on display.

The Disney musical comedy poked fun at its fairytale heritage, right down to this fabulously dramatic costume design by Mona May, based on classic villainous Disney sorceresses like 'Maleficent' and the evil queen from Snow White.

Speaking of villains, another cool costume I discovered at The American Film Institute Villains showcase exhibit at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Orlando was the battle costume worn by Tilda Swinton as the 'White Witch Jadis' in the first cinematic installment of The Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe from 2005.

In addition to Isis Mussenden's fierce chainmail and animal skin outfit, they also had the evil witch's battle chariot on display.

Tron: Legacy Siren Gem

From medieval looking armament to much more futuristic attire and this reflective lightsuit was featured in Disney's Tron: Legacy from 2010.

I photographed this sexy white costume on display at ArcLight Sherman Oaks and I believe it was worn in the movie sequel by Beau Garrett as 'Gem', one of the Sirens that welcomes Sam Flynn to the virtual computer world of Tron.

Nine Folies Bergere dancer

Back in 2009 the musical movie Nine may have flopped at the box office, but I was still thrilled to see the costumes from the movie, like this Folies Bergere inspired outfit, on display at ArcLight Sherman Oaks when I went to watch the film.

Way back in July 2008, these over-the-top, fun ABBA-inspired costumes by Ann Roth from Mamma Mia: The Movie were some of the first outfits that I had the good fortune to see in person at ArcLight Hollywood cinema. I certainly think they'd make for a great Halloween party costume.